A daily pro-life vigil was held at St Mary’s Hospital Health Campus, Milton, for a week last month. It was attended by Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth, who tweeted: “Just back from 40 Days for Life vigil outside Portsmouth abortion clinic. Please pray for the brave participants and for an end to abortion.”

Lisa Butler, who organises the 40 Days for Life vigils, told Portsmouth News: “You don’t have to agree with us on abortion to stand up for our right to peacefully pray outside the hospital.”

According to the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, (SPUC), the council heard testimony from Caroline Farrow, a Catholic writer, who described her experience at the clinic 20 years ago. “I was not informed about the basic facts of my procedure,” she said.

“I was angry at how I’d been misled and the reality of abortion glossed over by the clinic,” she continued.

The council is now considering creating a “buffer zone” around the clinic; a public spaces protection order (PSPO) is one option. A PSPO is currently being sought by Ealing council for a Marie Stopes clinic in the borough.